The city of London has triumphed at the World Travel Awards Europe, by taking the title for ‘Europe’s Leading City Breaks Destination.’
Undoubtedly aided by its impressive handling of this summer’s Olympic Games, the UK’s capital city beat off competition from Venice in Italy; St. Petersburg in Russia; Madrid in Spain; Prague in the Czech Republic; and Paris, France, to take the coveted title.
The awards, which were held at Conrad, Algarve, Portugal, drew tourism VIP’s and media from 35 countries, and London’s award was only one of several that were bestowed across the industry at the Gala Ceremony.
Paris-based Hotel Le Bristol took the award for ‘Europe’s Leading Hotel,’ with London’s Dorchester also nominated. Europe’s Leading Tourist Board went to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Turkey also triumphed in the categories of Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel, with the Marden Place, and Europe’s Leading Luxury Resort, with the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa.
The European ceremony is the third regional event for the WTA, with other world regional events taking place in Dubai, Turks & Caicos Islands and Singapore. Regional event winners will compete against one another for world titles at the WTA’s Grand Final, which is to take place at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India on December 12 this year.
The president of the Algarve Promotion Bureau & Algarve Tourism Board, Antonio Pina, commenting on the Algarve’s hosting of the event, said, ‘It was with enormous pride that Algarve hosted such a prestigious event as World Travel Awards. This was a unique opportunity to promote the region as a first-class destination, with exceptional facilities and an enviable climate like no other country in Europe. We are delighted and grateful to the organisation to have chosen Algarve for such a memorable event.’